Duterte will allow medical marijuana in PH
In a move that might see him at odds with doctors and the Department of Health (DOH), presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte says he supports the use of medical marijuana.
DUTERTE IS OKAY WITH medical marijuana, but says recreational use will still be prohibited. Photo courtesy of Rody Duterte Facebook page.
During a press conference held last Monday, May 23, Duterte told reporters that modern medicines already use medical marijuana as an ingredient. “There are medicines right now being developed or are already in the market that contains marijuana as a component,” he told reporters.
Recreational marijuana, on the other hand, will still be prohibited under the law. Under Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, anyone caught in possession of or cultivating it may be sentenced to life in prison and be fined for as much as P10 million.
In 2014, Isabela 1st District Rep. Rodolfo Albano III filed House Bill 4477 or the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Act. The church has agreed to the use of medical marijuana, while doctors have said there was insufficient evidence to prove that marijuana could improve certain medical conditions.
The DOH, on the other hand, does not outright reject its use for medicinal purposes. They will review the bill to counter possible abuse of marijuana.
To date, more than 24 US states have legalized use of medical marijuana, the earliest of which was California in 1996.
Source: CNN Philippines, Inquirer.net, Vatican Radio, Rappler
